Antonian distance runner turns in double-gold showing

Updated 1:33 am, Sunday, May 6, 2012

Antonian's junior distance runner matched his winning performance in Friday's 3,200 meters by claiming the Class 5A gold medal in the 1,600 on Saturday at the TAPPS state track meet.

“Double gold is excellent,” Gallardo said. “My teammate Andrew Gazda did it last year. We're trying to keep that tradition at Antonian.”

Gallardo took the lead after the first lap at Baylor's Hart-Patterson Track and Field Complex, but Jo Alan Castilleja of Houston St. Thomas passed him briefly on the final turn. However, the Apaches runner kicked into overdrive when the pair reached the straightaway and sprinted to a 4:29.00 clocking for first place.

Boerne Geneva's Jacob Ryan finished first in the Class A 1,600 (4:35.55), and San Antonio Life's DeAndre Williams won the 400 (52.69).

In the 5A girls, Antonian began the meet's second day with a silver medal performance in the 400 relay (49.95). Senior distance runner Olivia Lopez capped the day by collecting silver medals in the 800 (2:21.61), and 1,600 (5:20.80).

“The heat was brutal, especially after doubling up in the 800,” Lopez said. “I would have liked the golds, but I would be foolish not to be pleased with this.”

Antonian placed fourth overall in the girls division with 84 points.

San Antonio Christian's Madison Campbell provided the biggest surprise. The freshman fought off the intense heat to win the 4A 1,600 in 5:18.64.

“It was really hard today,” Campbell said. “But once I took the lead in the final 100 meters, I was confident.”

In Class A, San Antonio Life's Dorthie Obie won the 100 (12.95), while teammate Natalya Ward claimed gold in the 800 (2:36.36).